opiate

1 a drug that contains opium, derivatives of opium, or any of several semisynthetic or synthetic drugs with opium-like activity.

2

Usage notes: (informal)

any soporific or opioid drug.

3 pertaining to a substance that causes sleep or relief of pain. Morphine and related opiates may produce unwanted side effects such as respiratory depression, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and constipation. Patients with reduced blood volume are more susceptible to the hypotensive effect of morphine and related drugs. Opiates are used with extreme caution in obese patients and in those with head injuries, emphysema, or other problems associated with decreased respiratory function. In patients with prostatic hypertrophy, morphine may cause acute urinary retention, requiring repeated catheterization. Also called opioid.

opiate

Opiate

opiate (ōˑ·pē·it),

n1. a drug that comprises opium, an opium derivative, or a synthetic preparation that exhibits activity similar to opium. adj2. pertaining to a substance that relieves pain or induces sleep. Also called opiod.

o·pi·ate

(ō'pē-ăt)

Any preparation or derivative of opium.

opiate (ō´pēət),

n1. a remedy containing or derived from opium. n2. a drug that induces sleep.

opiate

any sedative narcotic containing opium or any of its derivatives. Used chiefly to induce sleep and to suppress cough. See also opioid.

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